Tuesday, October 25, 2011

"I am coming to cut you down and carve you, receive this egg and eat…do not let the iron cut me, do not let me suffer in health.

…a prayer said by a carver to the spirit of the tree.

Documented by Prof. R.S. Rattray in a thesis “Religion and Art in Ashanti” (1927)

my souvenirs

Many years ago, I had the opportunity of spending a week in Accra, Ghana on business.Like a typical tourist, I brought back a few carved wooden souvenirs. Not until recently did I become aware of the extent of woodcarving in Ghana and its importance to the economy of the country.

Wood carving is done throughout Ghana, but it is mostly centered in the Ashanti region just north of Accra.The small villages of Aburi and Ahwiaa are mentioned often on the web as wood carving centers.The wood carving tradition was always an important part of the culture of the ethnic Akan people who, for centuries, have occupied all of Ghana and part of the Ivory Coast.

modern Ghana sculpture

Today, Ghanaian wood carvers produce an endless variety of figurines and plaques for the tourist trade, or for export to other countries.Some are cleverly designed with modern African figures and animals.If you go back 100 years or more, however, you wouldn’t see such individual creativity.In the old days, carving was done as a communal, not individual, form of expression.Deviation from community accepted standards and designs was tabooed.Carving was done under the strict direction of clan leaders, and was totally done by men.Not every man carved.The carvers were seen as a privileged minority endowed with special skills from God.They even had their own secret initiation rituals for apprentices.

carving a djembe drum

The traditional Ghanaian carved wood items include: drums, masks, (Akuaba) fertility dolls, mortars and stools. All these items are still made and exported today.The form and design of these items has changed very little over the years.

an Ashanti stool

﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿The stools are a topic by themselves.They were a symbol of status among the tribal leaders and can also be a carved record of maternal genealogy. They are carved from a single piece of wood.The seat part is curved and represents the warm embrace of a mother. The center middle section contains symbols that indicate the owner’s beliefs, history or values. Most stools had an Adinkra symbol on the front.These symbols were also stenciled on cloth. They are used today on many handicraft items. Most modern Ghanaians know the meanings of each Adrinka symbol. The symbol on the stool in the photo above is called Gye Nyame, or "except for God", and indicates the supremacy of God.

carving stools

Since ancient times, trees in Ghana were considered dwelling places of supernatural spirits and powers, both benevolent and malevolent.The trees felled for carving were given certain ritual purification rites.﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ When a carver acquired a new set of tools, the tools had to be pacified to solicit good and cordial relations from the spirits. Strong alcoholic drinks were poured on the tools and special libation prayers were offered. (See an excerpt from a prayer at the top.)

In Ghana, the primary woods used in carving are Sese (Holarrhena wulfsbergii) and Tweneboa (Cordia millenii). The tweneboa is a sacred tree. Its name literally means "drum tree". It is relatively soft and easy to carve and sometimes already hollow, which makes it ideal for drum making. Most Kpanlogo drums are made from tweneboa. Other woods used include: Afromosia, Mahogonay, Odum “Iroko”, Cedrela and Sinuro.﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿

a young carver

﻿The wood carvers in Ghana today work 10 hours a day, 7 days a week. They make their own tools out of iron and steel and keep them very sharp. Do a video search on-line for “Ghana wood carvers” and you will see some amazing carving with simple tools, and no fancy vises or fixtures. I especially like the drum carving video.

The information in this post was obtained from various sources on the web including an informative report entitled "Carving Tradition in Ghana", by the Ghana Natinal Commission for UNESCO.

Well, it is a very nice creation for sure and nice artwork is done as well. There are several wood workers around the India sharing their expertise by crafting beautiful creations like these. Indian craft export is one of the leading wooden handicrafts suppliers and it can be found at http://www.indiancraftexport.com/product-category/wooden-handicrafts/

Your art is amazing. I am in possession of a piece that I am hoping you can identify and give me a little information on the piece. I have photos I would like to send to you. Any help would be appreciated.

I am here in Accra Ghana now. Had some workers come over to the house to fix the gap in the top/bottom of my door. The showed up with nothing but hand tools, strips of mahogony and cedar and sweat equity. I was envious of thier tools, and they said they made them! I so want to ask to buy his plane; and still may. But is anyone else interested in buying tools hand made here? If so, I may empower this guy to buy them and ill distribute to anyone else interested.

WELCOME

This blog is dedicated to wood, and all things crafted out of wood.

It all starts with the belief that trees are, somehow, sacred expressions of the Creator. Trees are living, organic creatures with great strength and beauty. Their wood is used by humans to create things both practical and wonderful. Ancient people in all corners of the world worshiped trees as deities. These deities did not live in some far off heaven, but were connected by deep roots to the same earth that the ancient people walked upon. The people had a close relationship to these earth-bound deities, depending on them for the wood that gave them fuel, warmth and shelter. Later, almost every aspect of their lives was dependent upon wood. Vehicles, tools, ships, bridges, weapons, bowls and spoons were all made out of wood. If the tree is indeed a deity, then it is a god that has provided graciously of herself to all humans throughout the ages.

If you are a monotheist, as I am, you probably believe that your one God created trees along with everything else. I believe that they are still sacred expressions of that Creator. I believe that beautiful objects made out of wood are a homage to the wood spirit, or, if you prefer, a prayer to God.

J.M.C.

About Me

My name is John M. Casteline. I was educated as an engineer and for most of my life I worked in the business world in industrial marketing anf product management. Now I work with my hands creating things ourt of wood.